SOHR exclusive | Co-chair of SDC Riyad Dirar: “several issues had to be considered before making decision”

The decision of the Autonomous Administration of North and North-east Syria regarding raising the fuel price recently attracted a lot of attention and ignited popular discontent.

Demonstrations took place in the Autonomous Administration-held areas, along with the visit of the US delegation to those areas, which led to many important decisions.

Riad Dirar, the co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), said in a statement to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights “the visit of the US delegation to north Syria represents support for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and (SDC), pointing out that the discussions that took place emphasized the continuation of military, political and economic support.”

“Moreover, basic issues were also discussed, especially the issue of supporting the opening of the crossings in the region to lift the siege, as well as restoration of the political decision and the political vision for the region, so that it would take part in the political solution.”

Regarding raising the fuel prices, Mr. Dirar said “it is necessary, but it should have been studied according to the needs of the people, and the affected people should have been convinced of the validity of this decision by compensating them in other ways, whether it was by raising salaries or providing food baskets and some items that they need constantly”.